Area Sales Manager

AWC, Inc.; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Competitive pay

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Job summary

AWC, Inc. is seeking an Area Sales Manager to lead a Sales, Service and Support team, expand core product lines, and build lasting relationships with customers and partners across the Knoxville region.

You will drive profitable growth by delivering innovative technical solutions and coordinating cross‑functional teams. The role requires a strong technical foundation in industrial controls, excellent communication, and a willingness to travel to support customers and maximize opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of technical sales experience in industrial controls/automation.
• Diverse technical background in process automation technologies.
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Strategic thinker with a customer-centric mindset and proactive problem solving.
• Willingness to travel.
• Proficient in CRM software and Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a Sales, Service and Support team to grow profitable market share.
• Prepare and execute the Annual Business Plan and quarterly performance reviews.
• Identify and pursue new lines of business, product lines and services.
• Coach and coordinate with Technical Account Managers, Project Managers, Inside Account Managers.
• Collaborate with engineers and product managers to maximize productivity and resources.
• Build relationships with local technology partners and drive customer engagements.
• Engage decision makers to close business and align products, support, and services with customer needs.
• Monitor pricing, supplier costs and inventory to optimize profitability.

Skills

Technical sales

Industrial controls

Automation knowledge

Communication skills

Negotiation

CRM software

Microsoft Office

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering

Tools

CRM software

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are seeking individuals with boundless energy, unwavering persistence, and an appetite for learning. We value individuals who approach challenges with enthusiasm and creativity. If you're ready to embark on a journey of continuous growth and contribute to meaningful solutions, we want you on our team.

The Area Sales Manager develops and leads a Sales, Service and Support team dedicated to AWC’s success in achieving consistent, profitable market share growth. Specifically, the role will focus on expansion of each core product line at existing and new accounts identified in the annual business plan and Ensuring team members are properly compensated for their contributions. This position is responsible for developing life‑long personal business relationships with customer and partner decision makers, while developing new accounts by providing innovative technical solutions to customer issues. Success is measured by meeting sales objectives and performing all duties with the highest ethical standard while exceeding all customer requirements.

How you’ll make and impact:

• Ensures a safe working culture is supported for all employees, customers and partners
• Prepares a comprehensive Annual Business Plan and performs Quarterly performance reviews
• Identifies and/or brings new lines of business, new product lines and new services which align with and augment existing lines of business
• Proactively works with Technical Account Managers, Project Managers and Inside Account Managers, making assignments, coaching and providing feedback to maximize performance
• Works with Specialist, Application Engineers, Shop & Field Service and Product Managers to maximize productivity utilization and development of our technical resources
• Develops productive relationships with the local technology partner representatives
• Manages key customer relationships making calls on decision makers (with or without) account managers (at times with factory sales representatives) to assist in closing business; make sure we are providing customers with the products, support and services they require; gain insights on what we need to do to address future needs; and determine what our competitors are doing that may be a threat to AWC’s future business
• Regularly review customer pricing, supplier costing and inventory levels to maximize AWCs profitability and asset utilization
• Provide technical support for the following products/technologies: PLC, I/O, HMI, SCADA, Drives, Synchronized Motion Control, Networking, WiFi, Radios, Motor Controls, Control Panel Design, and Power Distribution

Skills you’ll need:

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in Technical Sales in industrial controls and automation industry
• Diverse technical background with process automation technologies and methodologies
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Strategic thinker with a customer‑centric mindset and a proactive approach to problem solving
• Willingness to travel
• Proficient in CRM software and Microsoft Office suite
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and competing prioritiesTechnical problem-solving aptitude

Here’s what will set you apart:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering
• Solid foundational knowledge base of electricity and electrical principles
• Detailed knowledge of applicable products, manufacturers and customers

The Rewards

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Competitive Pay
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Package
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay

About AWC

As em ployee-owners, we seek to develop fulfilling careers by pushing ourselves to deliver better, safer, more effective automation solutions. We do this through strategically partnering with the world’s most-recognized brands to help engineering, reliability, and maintenance teams solve problems effectively. Our team of over 600 employee-owners embrace innovative and creative methods to expand our expertise while providing genuine value to our customers and technology partners.

How We Win Together

We are committed to solving customer problems and are looking for team members that want to be a trusted resource to those looking for a partner who out‑knows, out‑cares, and out‑serves everyone else. Every day, we strive to deliver on our mission to empower people to make the greatest positive impact for the communities and families we serve together. Our Winning Together culture starts with a shared commitment to building an environment of inclusiveness, trust, and mutual respect. We know that when people like you are safe to pursue your passions, to learn, to serve, and to share in the rewards from our combined efforts, then we are winning together.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities